The search for Stacy Peterson: Week in review

Friday

Just when it looked like things were slowing down, in came a slew of developments, tips, publicity stunts and announcements this week. Have a look:

Just when it looked like things were slowing down, in came a slew of developments, tips, publicity stunts and announcements this week. Have a look:

- On Friday, Jan. 18, Illinois State Police issued a statement saying they have begun using “additional investigative resources.” Authorities did not elaborate on what those resources may be. Sgt. Thomas Burek told the Chicago Tribune that Drew Peterson remains the prime suspect in his wife’s disappearance and that investigators have learned of new information that supports that. Authorities also dismissed claims by Peterson and his attorney Joel Brodsky that Stacy Peterson ran off with another man. “It is apparent that Stacy did not voluntarily cease all contact with her children, family, and friends,” the statement said.

- Stacy Peterson turned 24 on Sunday. More than 200 friends, family members and supporters turned out to a birthday party held in her honor at a Bolingbrook church. While there, Bolingbrook Police Chief Ray McGury expressed his sympathy for her family and his belief that they will find closure. McGury said the evidence he has seen or heard of has led him to believe the case will be resolved at some point.

- Drew Peterson and Joel Brodsky made a surprise appearance Wednesday on the Steve Dahl morning show on 104.3 Jack-FM and asked Dahl to host a “Win a Date with Drew” contest. Dahl regularly pokes fun of Peterson on his show and had just finished a song mocking the former Bolingbrook police sergeant when the pair called the radio program and asked to be put on air. After several minutes of sharing jokes and laughs, Brodsky suggested the dating game. Dahl agreed with the caveat that a chaperone accompany Peterson and the winner on the date. The station’s general manager and Dahl later agreed to cancel the segment over public outcry.

- Also Wednesday, the Amazing Kreskin, a celebrity mentalist, withdrew his offer to aid in the search for Stacy Peterson. Kreskin cited Drew Peterson’s and Brodsky’s unwillingness to meet with him as the main reason for the withdrawal. Kreskin said he was disgusted by the case and by Peterson and Brodsky’s “mockery” of Stacy Peterson’s tragic disappearance.

- Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow’s office released a statement Thursday saying the grand jury in progress to investigate Stacy Peterson’s disappearance and Kathleen Savio’s death will meet every Thursday for another four months. The state will also have an option to extend the grand jury by six months if needed. The state is “confident that justice will be served at the conclusion of these methodical and disciplined investigations,” the statement said. Investigators have followed up on more than 1,900 tips and leads since the beginning of the investigation in late October.

•Speaking of tips and leads, Brodsky released a transcript Thursday of a voicemail he received from someone claiming to have seen Stacy Peterson at a Peoria homeless shelter. Officials at the shelter have said the anonymous caller was mistaken.

•The grand jury investigating the Peterson case met again Thursday. Ric Mims, a former friend of Drew Peterson, testified that he helped Peterson track Kathleen Savio before the couple’s divorce was settled. Stacy Peterson’s friend Bruce Zidarich also testified, saying Peterson was depressed the morning she disappeared. Zidarich was the last person, besides her husband and children, to have known contact with Peterson when he called her about meeting up to paint a house.

•The Chicago-Sun Times reported Friday that Peterson may have forged his third wife’s signature so he could buy a house for himself and his then-girlfriend Stacy Cales. Kathleen Savio’s family members have questioned the validity of the signature. A handwriting expert hired by the Sun-Times compared the signature on the legal document to several others known to have been penned by Savio but could not determine whether the signature was real. Peterson and Brodsky have said the signature is valid.

• Also Friday, a Will County judge said he will hear evidence from the state in a closed hearing before he decides whether Drew Peterson can have seized property returned. Peterson’s two vehicles, computers and 11 guns were seized during a Nov. 1 search warrant execution. Police also seized other items, such as an iPod and compact discs, which were returned after Brodsky filed a motion asking for them. The Will County judge is expected to make a decision Feb. 1.

Compiled by Danya Hooker, Suburban Life Publications

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